BPCP FINAL REPORT

Conservation and Monitoring of Tibetan Antelopes

in Hoh-Xil Nature Reserve

(Project No. 201404)

Period covered: May 1, 2004 – January 31, 2005

Team Leader: Xia Lin

Team members: Li Zengchao, Wu Yonghua & Xiang Yu

Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOZCAS)

25 Beisihuanxi Road, Beijing, P. R. China,100080

Tel: +86-10-62581473

Fax: +86-10-62565689

Email: xial@ioz.ac.cn

1

Acknowledgment

I would first and foremost like to thank Qisen Yang, my supervisor and the advisor of this

project. In the two months of field work, he gave us fully support and worked with us from

the beginning to the end. His abundant field experience on Plateau helped us solve many

problems in monitoring and improve our project.

I would also like to thank Mr. Gama Chaidan, Li Yongbo, Da zhihua and Ms. Catherine

Zhang.

Mr. Gama Chaidan, park police of Hoh-xil National Nature Reserve and leader of

Budongquan conservation station, helped us in conservation actions on highway.

Mr. Li Yongbo, staff of Bureau of Forestry of Qinghai Province, without his help in

communication we could not work smoothly in the Reserve.

Mr. Da zhihua, staff of Ministry of Railway (MOR), helping in communication with

Department of the Railway, setting the working sites, providing us with basic working

conditions.

Ms. Catherine Zhang from BP Beijing Branch, helping us in organizing the public

education.

Finally, I will thank Ms. Marianne, Robyn, Kate, Pia & Jaimye, and all participants of BP,

Without them whithout this project.

All of these individuals made this research possible and I am indebted to them.

2

Table of Content

1. Summary 3

2. Introduction 4

3. Aims and Objectives 5

3.1 Project aims 5

3.2 Objectives 5

4. Methods 5

4.1 Training 6

4.2 Field servey 6

5. Other Project Components 8

5.1 Local participation 8

5.2 Public Awareness and Education 8

5.3 Government permission 8

5.4 Public Awareness and Education 8

6. Monitoring Results 8

6. 1 Westward migration 8

6. 2 Eastward migration 9

7. Discussion 13

7.1 Comparison of Westward migration to return migration 13

7. 2 Disturbance to migration of chirus. 15

7.3 Evaluation of crossing structures 19

7.4 Recommendations & Conservation actions 21

8. Logic Framework 25

9. Timetable 27

10. Financial Report 28

11. Reference 30

12. Appendix 31

3

1. SUMMARY

The Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii), otherwise known as chiru is one of the world’s

most endangered species. It is listed as Endangered animal by the World Conservation Union (IUCN)[6]

and given local protection by China under its Wildlife Protection Law which prohibits hunting and

trade[1-4]. The chiru is also protected by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered

Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)[11]. In the last one century, hunt grazing was the main threat to this

species. These years the actions of governments and wildlife protection organisations have brought

poaching under control. But there are other dangers, the deterioration of the antelope’s natural habitat

and the degradation of the environment are continuing threats to the survival of the species. Tibetan

Antelopes habitat in the vast expanse of 880,000 square kilometers in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Hoh-Xil

is one of the main distribution areas of the chirus. Each year, flocks of Tibetan antelopes will move to

Zhuonai Lake and Taiyang Lake to give birth. The newly built Qinghai-Tibet railway is right on their

migrating corridor. In order to ensure the chirus pass through the railway safely, 15 passages were built

in Hoh-Xil [12, 17]. It is the first year that all these passages put into use. In the two months of migration

season we monitored 10 kilometer-wide migration corridor including two wildlife passages (Hoh-xil

passage and Chumaer River passage), above 90% of chirus passed the railway in this area. We

successeded in monitoring the movement pattern of the migrating population along the rail line. In

mid-June, we recorded 1660 female antelopes migrated into Hoh-xil, all of them using Hoh-xil

passage to cross the railway. By late August, chirus went back, 2303 individuals passed the railway,

among which 1/3 were new born babies, about 56% using crossing structures, the others over passed

the railway directly. The efficiency of passages are greatly improved than last year, when only 400

chirus using wildlife corridors and hundreds of them gave birth near the railway. The efficiency of

crossing structure was affected by the structure of the passages, wolf, un-recovered vegetation and etc.

The results provided valuable information on behavioral ecology and migration of chirus, and may

diagnose a potential problem on infrastructure development at an early stage, which may be the main

threaten factor to this endangered species in the future.

This project is not only a monitoring project but also a conservation plan. Together with the staff

from the Reserve Management Office, we cleared the rubbish under the bridge, limited the activities

near passages, assisted in stopping the traffic to help the chirus cross the road. Our monitoring results

and recommendations were provided to Bureau of Forestry, transportation department. It will be used

to make conservation plan for the next migration season.

Before fieldwork started, our training workshop was held in field, involving several staff from the

management office and transportation agency. It is a short but efficient training course. After fieldwork

finished, our team members gave some presentations about our project in middle school, universities,

scientific communities and BP Beijing office; the presentation got very active response. Our project

greatly improved the public awareness on Tibetan Antelopes.

Key words: Conservation, Monitoring, Tibetan Antelopes

4

2. INTRODUCTION

The Tibetan antelope, or Chiru, is the only genus of large mammal endemic to the Tibetan

Plateau, distributed between Ngoring Hu in China and the Ladakh region in India. The geographical

range once extended to western Nepal, but none have been seen for several years [5,7,8,13,18]. Tibetan

antelope is regarded as an threatened mammal in the IUCN Red List, and also in the Appendix I

species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

(CITES); In China, the chirus are stated as a Class I protected species, prohibiting capture as well as

the big games except for special permit from the government. By the mid-90s chiru numbers

decreased from one million or more to less than 75,000 in a century, estimates by George Schaller [9],

due principally to poaching for shahtoosh. There used to be large herds of 15,000 or more but now

live in much smaller aggregations[9].

The movement pattern of chiru is quite complex, both resident and migratory populations exist.

There are differences between the movement patterns of the females and males. Seasonal migration of

females and yearlings is the main character of chiru reproduction. Each summer adult females and

their female offspring of last year will move about 300 kilometers between their winter mating

grounds and summer calving grounds, while males tend to remain near their wintering grounds, until

eventually join a mixed herd when females back. In late June to July single calves are born. Till now

the wintering areas of chiru are fairly well known, but not adequately information are available on

most calving areas. Zhuonai and Taiyang lakes are clearly known main calving ground of Tibetan

antelopes, located in northwest of Hoh-xil National Nature Reserve (HXNR). Schaller reported that

there were at least four and possibly more major migratory populations on the Tibetan plateau, each

with different migration routes [9]. Hoh-xil is one of the most important breeding ground of the four

populations mentioned above. The HXNR is located in the territory of Qinghai Province; the altitude

is 4,500 meters on average above sea level[13]. Every June and July the antelopes migrate to Zhuonai

and Taiyang Lakes to calve where the climate is pleasantly cool and water and grass are abundant. In

late July of early August, they begin migrating back with their calves.

Fig.1 Distribution and migrating route of Tibetan Antelopes in Hoh-xil nature reserve

5

The Qinghai-Tibet Railway, which is 1,956 kilometers long, will be the highest and longest

plateau railway in the world, scheduled to begin operating in 2006. It went across three main national

nature reserves; among them two were especially designed for Tibetan Antelopes. The newly built

Qinghai-Tibet Railway (QTR) from Golmod to Lasha is just across the chiru’s migrating corridor on

the boundary of HXNR and Sanjiangyuan Reserve. In order to ensure the chirus and other species pass

through the railway smoothly, 15 passages were designed in the reserve, including overpass, under

pass and some bridges. The main structure was finished and put into use in 2004.

In the past ten years, Chirus have received a great deal of attentions from scientists and governors.

Recently work mainly focused on their biology, behavioral ecology and reproduction. We ourselves

also have made some studies on the population genetics and got some useful data from the DNA

sequence analysis. The result indicated that gene flow exist among the different populations. The

chirus in Hog-wild is now facing three major threats of survival: Hunting grazing, impact of human

activities and the trends of global warming. The impact of infrastructure especially transportation

development on the habitat and migration of chirus are main factors that will threaten this species now

and in the future. As it was the first time that animal safe passages have been used in the railway

construction in China, we have almost no useful scientific information and experience about it until

recently, it is still lack of methodical studies. The government and transportation department have

already recognized the conflict between railway construction and migration of chirus but have no idea

and sufficient information to make a reasonable conservation plan for the species. Will the

construction disturb the migration and exchanges between populations? Can antelopes pass through

the railway smoothly? How effective the passages can work? Which kind of corridors is more efficient?

From all reasons above we organized this project.

6

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

3.1 Project aims

The aim of this project is to assess the disturbance of construction of the newly-built QTR to the

migration of chirus, survey the status of the species using field-monitoring techniques. Results from

this study may diagnose any potential problems with transportation development at an early stage and

provide solutions to reduce conflict between railway construction and conservation.

3.2 Objectives

1) Provide reliable information on behavioral ecology and migration of chirus.

2) Disturbance caused by the railway and construction is identified.

3) Efficiency of the different wildlife corridors is assessed.

4) A reasonable conservation plan for the constrouction period and for the future generated.

5) Mornitoring techniques and field skill of the local students and residents are improved.

6) The management and conservation of the chiru and their habitat are advanced.

7) The links with the local staff of the Department of Forest, transportation angency and NGOs are

strengthened or created.

8) Public awareness of the species is improved.

4. METHODS

4.1 Training

Our training workshop was held in field,

involved several staff from the management office

and transportation agency. We discussed some

problems in monitoring method and exchanged our

experience in field survey. It is a small but efficient

training course.

4.2 Field servey

During 20th June and 22th August, we monitored

the movement pattern of the migrating population

along the rail line, two methods were used.

4.2.1 Video Cameras and Time Lapse Video Recorder

Video cameras were used in two under bridge passages (Chumaer River Passage and Hoh-xil

Passage) on the main migrating route to record the passes of chirus, it also could help to observe the

behavior that may indicate hesitancy or stress in animals using the crossing way. 90% of the antelopes

crossed the railway by using these two bridges or over pass the railway bed between which. Most of

monitoring equipments and data transferring were provided by Ministry of Railway (MOR). The

equipment can work 8-10 hours continuously with sun power supply during the daytime. The video

cameras were mounted under the bridge in different direction. Data can be recorded with the Time

Lapse Video Recorder, then transferred by an data cable to MOR office in Golmod, 270 km away from

7

the working sites, and recorded in an hard disk

4.2.2 Counters

We also counted the number of chirus, which pass through the crossing structures, and those

went across the railway not using the passages. In some situation such as rainy or cloudy, the video

camera could not work or keep on working continuously; and chirus may over pass the railway in

different position, we have to count the number of chirus by telescopes directly. The work is simple

but efficient. Chiru is active in the daytime and rest at night, their activities concentrated during the

daytime. It’s possible to monitor their moving by very simple equipments. We drove a vehicle with the

staff of the reserve along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway (QTH), which accompanied the rail line to

inspect the whole working area.

8

5. Other Project Components

5.1 Supporting institutions

Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences

China Ministry of Railways

5.2 Local participation and approval

Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences

Administration Bureau of the Hoh-xil Nature Reserve

Bureau of Forestry, Qinghai Province (BFQH)

China Ministry of Railways

In the last two years we have worked with BFQH, MOR together to design the passages, and

developed a good relationship with MOR, the local government and the Nature Reserve.

Hoh-xil Nature Reserve is almost uninhabited. The Chinese Ministry of Railways was the major

stake-holder in this area. They helped us to set up the working sites near the passages and also to make

provision to deliver recommendations from our study team to other stakeholder agencies.

5.3 Government permission

In this first year monitoring project, no animals will be handled, so special government

permission will not be needed. We have got fully supporting by BFQH, MOR and HXNR.

5.4 Public Awareness and Education

The data of the monitoring will be presented back to the local community members and the

related government units we mentioned above. The results will also be presented to the scientific

community and some non-government organization. The training course provided valuable field

working skills to the staff of MOR and the reserve, and it helped us to set up an efficient network

among the Reserve, Institutions and local government also.

6. MONITORING RESULTS

6. 1 Westward migration (From winter range to calving ground)

From June 21st to July 2nd, 1660 chiru individuals passes were detected at Wubei Bridge (Hoh-xil

Passage, which is an under bridge corridor), chirus moved from Sanjiangyuan Reserve into HXNR to

give birth, including females and sub-adult females and 9 new-born babies. As sub-adults grow rapidly,

it is difficult to distinguish yearling females from adults [9]. The pregnant female and sub-adult females

have a tendency to form large herds to go across the railway. We accounted the group size and chirus

number in our survey area along the rail line. Each day the chirus accumulated into large herds under

the rail bed or moving along the rail line, attempted to cross the railway. We recorded 29 groups in

westward migration under Wubei Bridge, which is the main wildlife passage in this area; the group

size was 256.9 on average, 54.1% of them formed large herds above 300 individuals (Fig. 4 and Table

4), while last year only about 400 chirus used this crossing structure, hundreds of pregnant females

gave birth near the railway. The chirus accumulated under the bridge during the daytime, and scattered

after the sunset if failed to cross the railway. They went back to the bank of Chumaer River, where is

9

about 6-10 km far from the corridor, abundant of grass, they rested during whole night. All of the

chirus passed through the bridge smoothly within 12 days (Table 1, Fig 2).

Table 1. Summary of chiru passes at Wubei Passage in Westward migration

Fig 2. Summary of chirus passages at Hol-Xil Passage in Westward migration

6. 2 Eastward migration (From calving ground to winter range)

In late July, antelopes came back with newborn offspring. Our working sites were set about 300

km from the calving ground, when the chirus returned near the rail way, the babies were at least one

month old. We sampled 51 populations randomly, the ratio of offspring to female adults varied in

different groups from 15:100-94:100, with an average of 53:100 (Table 2). Under normal

circumstances, the ratio of young to females ranged from 30:100 to 50:100 in Qiangtang [9], which is

another winter range of chirus. Our number is a bit higher than the ratio reported by Schaller. But the

number of death will increase in the unfinished trip, and also in their first year of life, “in the winter

and early spring, one third of the young died”, said by Schaller[9]. So at last the ratio of young/female

adult will be 30:100 to 40:100, on an average level as before. The railway disturbance on birth rate of

chirus seems not significant. The return population were smaller in size, individuals activity

dispersedly, no group larger than 300 was found, the average group size was only 87.7. (Fig 4, Table

4). In the back trip 45.8% of chirus over passed the rail bed directly, not using and wildlife corridors

(Fig 3 and Table 3). Our field work finished on August 18th, when main chiru population crossed the

railway, the number after August 18th was provided by staff of the HXNR. 2303 individuals were

recorded passing the railway in total.

Date 6.21 6.22 6.23 6.24 6.25 6.26 6.27-30 7.1 7.2 Total

Number of

individuals 400 0 697 0 121 175 0 80 187 1660

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

6.21 6.22 6.23 6.24 6.25 6.26 6.27 6.28 6.29 6.3 7.1 7.2 Total

Date

Nu

mb

er o

f ch

iru

s

10

Table 2. Population composition in return migration

Sample

Population

Adult and

Sub adult female

New born

Offspring

Offspring/

100Adult Female

1 51 41 80

2 54 31 57

3 17 14 82

4 15 8 53

5 7 3 43

6 32 30 94

7 27 17 63

8 14 7 50

9 5 4 80

10 9 2 22

11 14 6 43

12 6 3 50

13 17 6 35

14 17 13 76

15 37 18 49

16 21 14 67

17 24 14 58

18 73 40 55

19 44 26 59

20 84 63 75

21 11 4 36

22 54 26 48

23 7 4 57

24 25 5 20

25 18 3 17

26 62 29 47

27 27 15 56

28 57 27 47

29 32 12 38

30 128 72 56

31 129 63 49

32 11 9 82

33 14 8 57

34 22 19 86

35 60 30 50

36 72 40 56

37 22 12 55

38 44 17 39

39 13 7 54

40 20 10 50

41 46 25 54

42 27 13 45

43 26 11 43

44 24 16 67

45 14 6 43

46 67 18 27

47 41 27 66

48 8 3 38

49 33 8 24

50 174 97 56

51 33 5 15

1894 1008 53

11

Table 3. The number of chirus passes in return migration

Date (Aug) 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19- Total Passages/

Overpass(%)

Number of

individuals

using passages

0 0 0 0 190 444 0 178 298 181 0 0 1291 56.1

Number of

individuals over

passing the

railway

3 0 21 0 0 0 243 86 0 21 143 495 1012 43.9

Total 3 0 21 0 190 444 243 264 298 202 143 495 2303

Fig 3. The number of chirus across the railway in return migration

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

8.8 8.9 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.13 8.14 8.15 8.16 8.17 8.18 8.19-

29

Total

Date

Nu

mb

er

of

ch

ius

Number of chirus( using passages)

Number of chirus(over pass the railway)

12

7. DISCUSSTION

7.1 Comparison of Westward migration to return migration

7.1.1 Group size

The population in westward migration was different in group size from that of in eastward

migration (Fig 4, Table 4). The reason which causes the difference is quite complicated. Firstly,

Qinghai-Tibet highway is accompanied with the railway, in return migration chirus had to first cross

the road then pass the railway, the busy traffic disturbance force the chirus to scatter into small groups,

it’s impossible for a large herd to cross the road in a very short time. The highway was built in 1950’s,

chirus have used to crossing the highway in their migration in more than half a century, they have

more experience in facing the road than it in railway. When they arrived in Chumaer River near the

highway, they will stay for ten to twenty days, feeding babies, before continue with their return trek.

They divided into small groups to cross the road. As the space between highway and the railway is

narrow, there is no enough space for antelopes to form large herds. However, in westward migration

antelopes would first pass the railway, the rail bed is much higher and the slope is sharp, though there

13

are some bridges and wildlife passages, without experience, these infrastructure may be danger to

them. Chirus formed large herds which can lighten the stress caused by new barrier. This may partly

explain why chirus accumulated under the railway. But the fact is even before return population

arrived in the area near the railway, the population was already quite large in size, this was confirmed

by the staff of the Hoh-xil Reserve, who inspected the whole migrating routes and the calving ground

of chirus many times. We deduce this may due to the pressure of reproduction, the pregnant female

formed large herds to ensure the efficiency to get to their calving ground in time safely, it’s dangerous

to give birth on their way of migration. But when they arrived in the summer range, the date of

confinement is different, to take care of the offspring, it’s impossible to start their back trip in large

herd on the same time. All this explanations are still lack of enough data to confirm, which may need

further research in the future.

Table 4. Comparison of Group size in Westward and Eastward migration

Group size

(Individual)

Number of

Population

(Westward)

Number of

Population

(Eastward)

Number of

Individuals

(Westward)

Number of

Individuals

(Eastward)

Number of chirus

in different size of

Population/ Total

number of chirus

(Westward)%

Number of

chirus in

different size of

Population/ Total

number of chirus

(Eastward)%

0-50 8 11 227 313 3.0 13.2

51-100 4 5 292 399 3.9 16.8

101-150 2 8 270 962 3.6 40.6

151-200 2 1 378 195 5.0 8.2

201-250 3 1 689 223 9.2 9.4

251-300 2 1 575 276 7.7 11.7

301-350 3 - 987 - 13.3 -

651-700 1 - 651 - 8.7 -

701-750 1 - 707 - 9.5 -

751-800 1 - 772 - 10.4 -

851-900 1 - 900 - 12.1 -

1001-1050 1 1001 - 13.4 -

Total 29 27 7449 2368 - -

Average - -- 256.9 87.7 - -

Median - 178 88 - -

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

0 - 50 51 - 100 101-150 151-200 201-250 251-300 301-350 651-700 701-750 751-800 851-900 1001-

1050

Population Size (individuals)

Per

cent

(%)

Westward

Eastward

Fig 4. Comparison of Group size in Westward and Eastward migration

14

7. 1. 2 Passage use and migratory period

The using of wildlife passages is obviously different between Westward migration and the back

trip. All chirus passed through the railway by Hoh-hil Passage, while only 56.1% of chirus used the

crossing structure in return migration. As mentioned above, in back trip the chirus will first cross the

highway, in the 10 km of migration corridor from Chumaer River to Wu Daoliang (Fig 1), the average

distance between highway and railway is about 1 km, in some area only 200 m. The road traffic

disturbance, human activities and poor living conditions made chiru only make a short stay in this area.

Due to the heavy road traffic, the chirus had no chance turning back to the other side of the highway

but to over cross the rail bed when in danger, such as wolf, tourist or anything meant danger to them.

We have found a group of chirus made up of 20 female adults and 10 babies scattered by a wolf, they

quickly climbed up the sharp slope of rail bed, cross the railway, running into the vast grassland on the

other side of the railway. However, in westward migration, before crossing the railway, there was a

large area with abundant food, water and enough space for escaping from danger. There may be

another reason, we found the young babies are much braver than their mothers, sometimes they led the

group over across the rail bed, to take care of young, the adults had to follow with the babies.

In migration before giving birth, 1660 chirus passed our working sites in 12 days in large herd. In

return trek, 2303 individuals spent 22 days passing through this area, 77.46% of chirus passed the

railway from Aug12th to Aug17th. On Aug 20th, after the construction suspended for two weeks, the

activities near the Wubei bridge continued, which disturbed the rest of chirus to use wildlife corridors.

7. 2 Disturbance to migration of chirus.

7.2.1 The railway structure itself

The railway itself is a physical barrier. The impact of the huge structure on chiru activities is

apparent. When chiru faced this “Great wall”- like infrastructure, they hesitated under the sharp slope

of the rail bed and gathered into large group, this had not happened before the construction of rail way.

Though the "passage ways" - trestle bridges, mostly - have been built at key points along the migrating

route, the instincts of chirus may instead prompt them to climb up to the high ground of the rail bed

and have a wary look around before proceeding just like crossing the highway. In fact this happened

last year in the main construction period, when the rail bed is still in built, not covered with stone

which used for protecting the rail bed. Only 1/4 or less using the in-built passage. The efficiency of

corridors greatly improved this year, all chirus passed through the crossing structure in Westward

migration. With last year’s experience, the chirus began to adapt themselves to the new circumstances.

The learning ability of chiru gave us strong impression. But only one-year data is not sufficient to get

the conclusion whether the wildlife passages is successful of not, the efficiency may changed annually,

and the rail track and accessory structure in built will also have impact on migration of chirus in future.

In summary, from the monitoring results, we can say the railway structure itself have significantly

impact on migration of chirus, but not disrupt their migration corridors. Long-term monitoring work is

quite necessary.

7.2.2 Destruction to land surface

The destruction to land surface under the wildlife corridors and along the rail line is another main

impact on chiru activities. Tibetan antelopes are very sensitive animals, sometimes seemed “a bit

15

nervous” in our mind. One afternoon, we saw a small group of chirus have just crossed the road,

running along the rail line, under a small bridge which is about ten meters long, two meters high, they

made some attempts to go across it, one adult passed through it successfully, but on the other side she

suddenly stopped, stuck by a rail track and

turned back. This also happened sometimes

when a small hole, bricks under the bridge

or tools using in construction on their way.

Any change on the land surface may affect

or even stop the chiru from moving. They

seemed very careful with anything happened

on land surface, but sometimes ignore the

running train over their head! According to

railway construction planners and the

Qinghai Environmental Protection Bureau,

the area affected by the rail bed's construction is to be returned to its original condition. Detailed plans

call for the replanting of any and all vegetation that is destroyed in the course of construction. We saw

some turf transplanted back to the rail bed. In fact the swathe of tundra disrupted by railway

construction is quite narrow. The most worrisome sites are the intermittent staging areas and sand

quarries located off to the side of the railway construction site, roughly every ten kilometers. In last

year’s migration the chiru could not use the corridors partly due to this reason. As main structure of

railway in Hoh-xil have finished this year, most of sand quarries and material were moved off, the

condition of passage improved. But we can still find such things under the crossing structures or along

the railway, which affected the passage of chirus. Fortunately, first time the railway departments have

mapped out strictest standards in China's railway construction history to ensure that the railway is

environmentally friendly. All heads from the construction teams have signed a contract committing

themselves and their fellow workers to protecting the local environment during the building of the

railway. On our way from Golmud to Hoh-xil, the post-construction clean up along portions of the

railway, where construction is finished, looks fairly good. The railway construction firms confirmed to

remove all equipment and recovered the vegetation upon completion in all construction sites, we think

the efficiency of crossing structure will be greatly improved.

7.2.3 Human activities

The Qinghai-Tibet railway runs along the eastern boundary of the Hoh-xil Wildlife Protection

Reserve, all human activity has been banned in this

area. The construction of the Qinghai-Tibet

Railway and the nearby highway brought human

activities to the reserve. In all disturbances to

migration of chirus, human activities might be the

most serious one. Chiru is active in the daytime,

could not keep them from the disturbance of human

activities. The migration season is in summer,

when is the most busy period during construction

16

of railway or other activities on Plateau. The tourists, volunteers, scientists crowed into this area. The

attempts of crossing highway or railway made by chirus were often interrupted by exciting tourists or

truck drivers. During the short concentrate period both in Westward migration and their back trip, all

activities was limited or stopped near main passages by management department of Hoh-xil Reserve,

to ensure the chiru pass through construction sites smoothly. The contractors have been doing their

best to minimize the adverse impact of the railway's construction on migration, but the activities of

tourists and truck driver were not under control, and greatly affect the migration of chirus. We have

seen a truck driver chasing a group of chirus, a tourist rushing into a large herds to take photos,

someone throwing stone to chirus, we were trying our best to persuade them from doing so, but have

no rights to limit their activities. Human activities brought by railway and highway may be main threat

to this species now and in the future even than the infrastructure itself.

7.2.4 Road effect

It’s difficult to distinguish whether the disturbance on chirus caused by road or railway in the

narrow zone between railway and highway, especially in return migration. The chiru passages at

railway depended on the crossing efficiency of road. The road effects included traffic flow, human

activities and features of the roadbed.

The Qinghai-Tibet Highway is the most important transportation lifeline to Tibet Plateau, nearly

85 percent of Tibet's inbound and outbound

goods and materials are carried along this

highway. The Golmud-Lhasa road has

degraded under hundreds of heavily laden

trucks. To take advantage of the short summer

work season on high plateau, the construction

period concentrated during June to September,

the foundation work for the rail bed increased

the already busy road traffic. Among the four

highways to Tibet Plateau, the road condition

of Qinghai-Tibet highway is the best due to

weather condition and landscape. In the rainy season, the coach, trucks and other transportation

vehicles all selected this route due to safety consideration, brought more traffic pressure on the

highway. We made some primary research on road traffic, recorded six days of traffic flow, during the

most concentrated migration period; the average traffic flow was 1.24/minute in daytime. The peak

occurred in 13:00-14:00pm (showing in Table 5 and Fig 5.), the number increased to 3.28/minute.

We also monitored the movement of chirus, accounted the number of groups which attempt to cross

the highway, found high frequency of passes was just during the most busy period of traffic. (Fig5 and

Table 5.), that reduce the successful rate in crossing the highway, and affect the passages of railway in

the back migration. Relationship between the traffic flow and migration of chiru still need further

investigation.

We are hoping the situation will be advantaged when the railway put into use. By 2007, 16 trains

will shuttle between Golmud and Lhasa every day, the railway will offer a safer, convenient and

reasonably-priced means of travel for Tibetan people and tourists, it can carrying nearly eight million

17

tons of cargo annually, coal, cement, oil and other essential raw materials will be transported to Tibet

from China's resource-rich regions by train instead of road transportation. The pressure on road traffic

may be reduced.

Table 5. The traffic flow in Qinghai-Tibet highway, and crossing attempts made by chirus.

Time period 9:01-

10:00

10:01-

11:00

11:01

-12:00

12:01-

13:00

13:01-

14:00

14:01-

15:00

15:01-

16:00

16:01-

17:00

17:01-

18:00

18:01-

19:00

19:01-

20:00

Average traffic flow of six

days (Per hour)

72 69.3 74.9 69.4 98.4 87.0 80.53 75.4 65.4 63.2 65.2

Group number of making

attempt (Per hour)

3 2 9 4 7 6 6 1 0 2 3

Table 5. The traffic flow in Qinghai-Tibet highway, and crossing attempts made by chirus.

7.2.5 Predators

Schaller (1998) documented Tibetan

antelope mortality caused by disease and predators

such as the wolf (Canis lupus), brown bear (Ursus

arctos), and He suggested that wolf predation

might at one time have been a substantial mortality

factor for chiru, particularly on the calving

grounds. In our field investigation we detected the

occurrence of wolves for ten times, and recorded

two successful preys near main passage. When the

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

9:01-

10:00

10:01-

11:00

11:01-

12:00

12:01-

13:00

13:01-

14:00

14:01-

15:00

15:01-

16:00

16:01-

17:00

17:01-

18:00

18:01-

19:00

19:01-

20:00

Time period

Gro

up n

um

ber T

raffic flow

Attempt of crossing (Per hour)

Traffic flow ( per hour)

18

chirus accumulated under the bridge, it provides the opportunity for the wolves. The chasing of wolves

sometimes affected the using of corridors, scatter the chirus, but this will not threat the whole

migration process, it’s not main disturbance on efficiency of wildlife passages.

7.3 Evaluation of crossing structures

In our first year project, our monitoring area covered the ten-km-wide concentrated migration

corridors, including Chubei Overpass corridor, Chumaer Under bridge Passage, Hoh-xil wildlife

Passage and a railroad bridge about five kilometers north of it, which near the main construction site in

this area. There are also some culverts and small bridges along the rail line in our working area. Our

monitoring equipment fixed under Hoh-xil Bridge and Chumaer Passages, as all this structures are

near the highway, it’s possible to inspect the other crossing structures during the daytime by driving

vehicles along the highway. In Westward migration, our monitoring results showed all chirus used the

Hoh-xil Passage, the efficiency of the corridors was 100%, while only 56.1% in back trip. 40 chirus

passed through Chumaer Bridge, two chirus passed a culvert. The using of crossing structures affected

mainly by unclear construction material, un-removed equipments, transportation vehicle, the distance

between highway and railway, human activities. (Table 6.)

Table 6. Comparison of the efficiency of different crossing structures

Passages of

individuals

Efficiency of the

structure Structure

Name

Structure

Type Westward

migration

Eastward

migration

Westward

migration

Eastward

migration

Disturbance to the using of structure

Chumaer Bridge

Under pass Wildlife Passage

0 41 0 1.8% a. Un-cleared construction material

b. Un-removed equipments, vehicles

c. Human activities

d. Short distance between highway andcrossing structures

Chubei Passage

Overpass Wildlife Passage

0 0 0 0 a. Un-cleared construction material

b. Un-removed equipments, vehicles

c. Human activities

Hoh-xil

Bridge

Underpass Wildlife Passage

1660 1248 100% 54.2% a. Un-removed construction material

b. Human activities

Wudaoliang Railroad Bridge

Underpass bridges

0 0 0 0 a. Main construction sites

b. Large amount of construction materials and builder of the railway

c. Destroyed land surface

d. Accessory of the railway

e. Human activities

Other Small Bridges

Underpass bridges

0 2 0 0.1% a. The structure itself

b. Un-recovered environment

c. Human activities

Culverts Underpass structures

0 0 0 0 a. The structure itself

19

Chumaer Bridge The human activities was the most serious factor which affected the efficiency of all

crossing structures, including the tourist, builder of the railway and other human activities brought by

highway. Chumaer River used to be main migrating corridors, but the efficiency of the Chumaer

Bridge is quite low. The bridge itself is almost the same as Hoh-xil Passage in structure, the difference

is the less distance between highway and railway,

and the surface of land was destroyed by the

construction machine, the raw material such as

sand, brick were not cleared, the builder of the

railway lived in camp just near the bridge. Though

the construction was halted, the workers were not

removed from the working sites; their activities

affected the using of passages. The migration was

affected both by the railway and by the highway in

this narrow area.

Chubei Passage This over-cross passage is about 2km southwest of Chumaer Bridge, near Chumaer

River, the situation is similar to Chumaer Bridge, the unfinished construction and human activities are

main impact factors.

Wubei Bridge It is the most effective corridor in this migration season, the efficiency greatly

improved than last year-when the main

construction period of this section was not

finished. In June 2004, the main construction

completed, workers were removed from the

working sites, together with most of the

machines, but still something left or unclear

under the bridge. In the first several days of

migration, we found some vehicles still passed

this area, with the support of the park police

from management of the reserve, all human

activities were stopped during the daytime.

There is another advantage of this passage - the open area between highway and railway, providing

chirus enough space to stay and being kept away from the noisy road. The improvement of the

efficiency is mainly due to the increased condition in environment near the passage.

Wudaoliang Railroad Bridge This bridge is in north of Wubei Corridor, though it is not designed for

chiru passage, but may be one corridor for migration in the future. The structure is similar to Wubei

Bridge and a bit far from the highway, with a large open area near the passage. But now the main

construction sites located near the bridge, and part of the structure are still in built, which limited its

use this year.

20

Other small bridges and culverts This kind of structure is most used by brown bear (Ursus arctos),

wolf (Canis lupus), fox Vulpes ferrilata and Tibetan gazelle (Procapra picticaudata), but unlikely

used by chirus. Most of such structure is about 1-2m in height, 5-10m long. It’s dark in the narrow

corridor, and the land surface under the bridge is not cleared or recovered. We detected only two

individual passed through a small bridge. The prospect of such structures needs further investigation in

the future.

7.4 Recommendations & Conservation actions.

7.4.1 Recommendations

Based on monitoring results and evaluation of crossing structures showing above, we made

following recommendations.

a. Stop or limit the human activities near wildlife passages, even after the railway put into use.

In the past three years of construction period, construction work was halted for the antelopes

in the concentrated migration period, this should be continued in the next migration season. In the

future, the activities of tourist, researchers and truck drivers should be limited by the manager of

the reserve.

b. Advantage or modify the wildlife passages

We have mentioned above, over 40% of chirus over cross the rail bed in return trek. We

recorded the position where chirus most liked to climb the rail bed. Some researcher had advised

to modify the sharp slope of the rail bed and remove the stone, which covered on its surface. This

will make the chirus to climb the rail bed easier but not safe for the running train and the chiru

itself. We don’t agree with their mind, as most of chiru began adapting to the new-built wildlife

passages, the best is to lead them pass through the corridors safely and avoid from the rail accident.

Due to the safety consideration, we recommend building fence in the most frequent sites of chiru

over passing; these sites are showing in Table 7.

Table 7. Most frequent sites of chiru over passing

Position K2992-2993 K2994-2995 K2995-2996

Frequency of over passing the rail bed

(individual/day) 8.5 16.25 10.5

21

c. Ensure the rail department to remove all equipments and recovered the vegetation upon

completion in all construction sites, remove all construction material and equipment during

construction period.

d. Reduce the road disturbance in rebuilding of Qinghai-Tibet Highway, by building more passages.

Now there are not any crossing structures on Qinghai-Tibet Highway, and the environment is

degraded due to busy traffic recent years, we could not ensure the traffic flow to be reduced in the

future, stopping the traffic will cause traffic jam on the highway and economic loss, it will not solve

the problem completely. The highway will be renew in the next several years, it’s possible to build

some wildlife passages and change the route in some area, further investigation is necessary to provide

reliable and sufficient data in future designing.

e. Enhance management of the Reserve and conservation capability building

The railway is on the boundary of two reserves, the west region is controlled by management

department of Hoh-xil National Nature Reserve and the east area is managed by Sanjiangyuan

National Nature Reserve. The railway and highway is in charged of transportation department. The

chiru’s activities covered all these areas. The cooperation of the three management departments should

be enhanced in ensuring the smooth migration of chirus. Till now most of conservation actions were

taken by 3 wildlife protection stations belonging to Hoh-xil Reserve, ethnic Tibetan wildlife

enforcement officials were employed by the Forestry Bureau of Qinghai province, working at wildlife

protection stations. Their duty is to patrol the construction sites, stop traffic when herds of antelope

cross the road.

Some non-government organizations such like Green River, and other volunteer league also made

some contribution to protecting the antelope, mainly in improving the public awareness of chirus, their

work is well known to public through media. Each summer the volunteers from all over the country

will work for the protection stations and take part in some conservation projects. Everyone with good

health, work attitude and love of animals could be volunteers, no particular requirements for an

applicant's age, gender or vocation. They will pay for their trip and all other living expense during the

one-month working in Reserve. They are passionate young people; their efforts and passion can

inspire the people around them. But we found there exist some problems in their work due to different

education background of the volunteers. Most of them full of passion but lack of enough field

experience, basic knowledge of chirus and wildlife conservation, this may reduce the effectiveness in

coping with real problems. And there is another factor which limited the activities of the volunteers,

considering Hoh-Xil's harsh natural conditions and frigid winter, volunteers will be on patrol only

from June to August. Each team will be consisted of five or six volunteers and each volunteer will

work on Plateau for only a very short period (about 10 days). It will take a week or more for them to

adapt themselves to the environment of high altitude. So the most effective measure is to enhance the

management of the Reserve and capability building. Most of staff of the management office in Hoh-xil

is ethnic with abundant field working experience; in our fieldwork we found their work is quite

efficient. They managed to strike the right tone in their relationship with the powerful construction

companies - cooperating in sharing information but maintaining credible independence of action.

Powerful financial support is necessary to maintain their work in the reserve.

22

f. Improve the public education work.

Too much work has been reported on improving the public awareness of conservation the chirus,

on newspaper, popular journals and websites. Till now most conservation action succeeded in making

people be aware of the importance of protect the Tibetan Antelopes. But we found most of people still

lack of general knowledge of the species and wildlife conservation. A college student asked me: “Why

not cut off the migration of corridor of chirus? Though this may cause damage to the population in the

first several years, but at last their behavior will be changed, we don’t need to spend so much money to

build crossing structures for them.” We have been in touched with some of the tourists and truck

drivers mentioned above in highway, most of them knew the chiru are protected animals, but they

didn’t realized their behavior seriously disturbed the chiru activities. They were excited when facing a

large herd of chirus which is fresh to them, could not help shouting or closing the chiru to take photos,

the wildlife passages are unfamiliar to most of people in China, sometimes they approached to the

bridges, because they didn’t know the use of those structures. More efforts should be made to

strengthen the education in public from children to adults, for people with different education

background including constructors of the railway and drivers on highway, not only in improving the

awareness of chiru conservation and poaching but also on general knowledge of conservation and

wildlife passages.

g. Further research on rail and road disturbance to migration of chirus; long-term monitoring on

migration of chirus

The rail and road disturbance to migration of chirus are still lack of systematic monitoring and

research. No sufficient data are available in the research area in China. In the future transportation

development, information will be required for the government and transportation agency in making

reasonable conservation plan in construction period. The record needed to be completed and accurate,

while we found past record could not be used for scientific research and analysis, because the data

collection method was not scientific. The rail and road will produce long-term effect and may be main

threat to migration of chirus, more problems may occur in the future. The passages are the first to be

built and used in China, there is still much to be learned about the effects of development on their

habitat and migration. Long-term monitoring and financial support in further research are vital in

protection of chirus.

7.4.2 Conservation actions.

a. Monitoring report to department of railway, Bureau of Forestry and local government.

Our monitoring results were submitted to department of railway, Bureau of Forestry and local

government, and cited in their annual report. The data will be used in making conservation plan in next

migration of chirus.

b. Assisting the park police from the reserve to stop traffic in highway.

On return trek, park police in the Hoh-xil National Nature Reserve stopped the traffic to assist the

journey of chirus. Our team members took part in their conservation actions, and help to monitor the

human activities near passage.

23

c. Public education

After the field survey finished, our monitoring results were presented by our team members in

middle school, colleges, universities and some conference, we also wrote some articles for popular

journals [14-16], the response was active, published on websites[19-24] and newspapers (Appendix 1) Our

most exciting experience was in middle school, we were deeply impressed and inspired by their

passions and the love of wildlife. Their knowledge in wildlife conservation was rich than we expected,

some questions they raised were surprising professional, even than college students! The next

generation of conservationist is among these lovely young students.

24

8. LOGIC FRAMWORK

Project Number: 201404 Planning period: May 2004-April 2005

Project Title: Conservation and monitoring of Tibetan Antelopes in Hoh-Xil National

Nature Reserve

Location

Hoh-xil

National

Nature

Reserve

Objectives/ activities Success indicator Means of Verification Assumptio

ns

Project purpose

Assess the impact of the human

activity and disturbance of construction of the newly-built Qinghai-Tibet railway to the migration of the chiru population, diagnose any potential problems with transportation development at an early stage and provide solutions to reduce conflict between railway construction and conservation.

It’s difficult to evaluate it in

quantity. The disturbances are

complex, not easy to measure.

The success may be indirectly.

For example, our

recommendation accepted by

transportation department,

conservation action is taken to

reduce the disturbance.

Final report on

assessment of rail

disturbance on migration

of chirus and evaluation

of the effectiveness of the

wildlife corridors

None

Overall results

1. Reliable information on behavioral ecology and migration of chirus are avaible.

Number of press articles

increased including significant national and international profile

Published papers in scientific and popular journal

2. The disturbance caused by

railway is identified.

Monitoring results. Final report.

3. Efficiency of the different

wildlife corridors is assessed.

Monitoring results. Final report.

4. A reasonable conservation

plan for the constrouction period and for the future generated.

Recommendation accepted and

monitoring results cited by Department of Railway, Chinese Bureau of Forestry and local government and used to take some action in their construction of future planning.

Final report

5. Mornitoring techniques and

field skill of the local students and residents are improved.

More well trained staff in

management department of reserve and conservation organizations.

Final report

6. The links with the local staff

of the Department of Forest, transportation angency and NGOs are strengthened or created.

Efficient network. Final report

7. Public awareness of the

species is improved.

Number of press articles

increased including significant national and international profile.

Press cuttings files

( Appendix)

None

25

Summary of objectives/activities

1.1 Two fixed working sites were set up with the support of MOR for long-term monitoring

1.2 Adjust and set up equipment, transfer all team members and local staff to working sites on time.

1.3 Population size, composition, and the behaviour in migration were recorded.

1.4 A report on behaviour ecology will generate.

2.1 We recorded the behaviour of chirus, when they across the railway.

2.2 Rail disturbance to migration of chirus are monitored and analysed.

2.3 Detail record on use of wildlife crossing structures.

2.4.Report on assessment of rail disturbance to migration of chirus has already been submitted to MOR and

local government and Chinese Bureau of Forestry with recommendation on conservation.

3. The efficiency of different crossing structure are evaluated and compared in final report, and submitted to

rail department.

4. Report on conservation status and the problems we found in the field work also submitted to related

department in government and NGOs, our results were cited in their annual report, and used to make a

reasonable conservation plan for the next migration season.

4.2 The detail final report on conservation status of Tibetan antelopes will help the policy maker and

management of reserve to advance their work.

5.1 The short training workshop involved local staff and constructor of highway was held in field several

days before field work. Team members and all participants discussed the monitoring method and exchange

the experience in field work.

6.1 In field survey we cooperated with Bureau of Forestry, MOR and management department of Hoh-xil

National Nature Reserve, the links were strengthened through this project, and may lead to further

cooperation in conservation actions.

7.1 Articles on introduction and results of our project were published on some newspapers, popular science

journals and website.

7.2 The project is promoted to wider public through presentation and traing in middle school, college ,

conference and other social society.

26

Timetable

2004.05.01-2004.05.31 –Communicating to the related local government unit. Equipment preparation.

Project planning.

2004.06.01-2004.06.10 - Two fixed working sites were set up with the support of MOR. Adjust and

set up the equipment, transfer first team, which made up of two participants from Shaanxi institute of

Zoology and two of us) to working sites. Arrange the accommodation.

2004. 06.10-06.12- Adaptation to the high altitude environment.

2004. 06.13-06.15- Short training workshop.

2004.06.17-7.9 - Field survey. Monitoring.

2004.07.10-13 – Transfer all team members back to Beijing, due to healthy consideration; long-time

working in plateau will cause heart disease.

2004.07.30-2004.08.1 – Transfer second team to working sites (all our team members).

2004.08.03-2004.08.05- Equipments set-up and adjustment.

2004.08.06-200408-22- Field monitoring.

2004.08.22-2004.08.28- Fieldwork finished, back to Beijing.

2004.09.01-2004.12.31

Data analyzing

Report (Evaluation of wildlife crossing structures and monitoring results) produced and submitted

to Chinese Bureau of Forestry, Management office of Hoh-xil National Nature Reserve and local

government. Evaluation of wildlife crossing structures and monitoring results.

Final report production

Presentation and submission of results to MOR, BFQH, HXNR, BPCP and related NGO,

newspapers and journals of popular sciences.

9.23 Presentation for middle school student from Dongzhimen middle school. (Organized by BP

Beijing)

9.29 Presentation in BP Beijing Branch.

10.30 Presentation in National Mammalian conference in HuBei

11.10 Presentation in Capital Normal University.

12.20 Presentation in Central University for Nationalities.

2005.1 Submit final report to BP and related organizations. Research paper will be submitted with

permission of BP.

27

Financial Report • Pre-project expenses:

o Administrative

Insurance 250/person x 4 1000.00

Training course: *

Transportation (By vehicle) 1061.00

Reconnaissance (already finished last year) *

Sub Total 2061.00

o Equipment

Field rations 1990.83

Medical (medicine and oxygen etc.) *

Photographic (video camera:) 850x 8cameras 6800.00

Video splitter (3x3) 2300 x 2sets 4600.00

Time-lapse decoder 3150 x 2sets 6300.00

Cables, batteries, tapes etc. 2450.00

Communications ( mobiles phone) 1900.00

Packing *

Maps *

Sub Total 24040.83

• Field expenses:

Living costs: 4man-56days at 50/day 11200.00

Local guide: *

Drivers: 1man x 56days x 50/day 2800.00

Local participant *

Fuel costs 7206.18

Vehicle use 2.00/km x 9053km 18106.00

( Vehicle and fuel costs was provided by MOR in first-month field work)

Sub Total 39312.18.

• Post-Project expenses:

Report production *

• Contingency: *

Total : RMB 65414.01

Current exchange rate 1USD = 8.25RMB USD 7928.97

Amount received from BPCP till now USD 5625.00

* Support of Provided by MOR

28

Our dream- a “second nature”- Improving transportation without putting nature second

I found this word in an surface transportation policy project, I really love this. It means:

“ The development of our modern society has caused immense destruction to the natural environment native to our earth (‘first nature’). However, we can establish a new world -- a ‘second nature’, where humans and animals can live in harmony. We can achieve this through a series of effective measures, including setting up wildlife passages.”

The BP Conservation Program Award, helpsus to enhance the development of this

undertaking. It is really a valuable and exciting opportunityfor us!

29

11. Reference

[1] Anon., Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Wildlife, 1989.

[2] Anon., ‘‘Conservation Status of the Tibet Antelope’’ [sic]. State Forestry Administration of China,

December 1998. Translated by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), China.

[3] Conservation of and control of trade in Tibetan antelope

http://www.cites.org/eng/resols/11/11_8.shtml

[4] Feng, Z. 1991. Wild animal resources in the Hoh Xil region. Chinese Journal of Arid Land

Resources 4: 247-253.

[5] Harris, R. B., D. H. Pletscher, et al. 1999. ‘‘Status and trends of Tibetan plateau mammalian fauna,

Yeniugou China.’’ Biological Conservation 87: 13-19.

[6] IUCN website, www.redlist.org,

[7] Liu, W., and B. Yin, eds. 1993 Precious and rare wildlife and its protection in Tibet Beijing: China

Forestry Publishing House. (In Chinese.)

[8] Schaller, G.B., J. Ren et al. 1991. Observations on the Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsoni ).

Applied Animal Behavior Science 29: 361-378.

[9] Schaller, G. B. 1998. Wildlife of the Tibetan Steppe. University of Chicago, Chicago.Wildlife

Conservation Society & Tibetan Plateau Project, A Petition to List the Tibetan Antelope

(Pantholops hodgsonii) as an Endangered Species Pursuant to the U. S. Endangered Species

Act of 1973

[10] Scott D. Jackson, Overview of transportation related wildlife problems, University of

Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts

[11] TRAFFIC. 1999. ‘‘Shahtoosh Dealer Sentenced in Hong Kong,’’ April 13, 1999.

[12] The first survey and design institute of the Ministry of Railways, 2002. Report of Environment

impact assessment on railway from Qinghai to Xizang (unpublished in Chinese)

[13] Wu Sugong, Feng Zuojian, 1996. The biology and human physiology in the Hoh Xil Region.

Sciences press, Beijing, China. (In Chinese)

[14] Xia Lin, Yang Qisen. Wildlife passages, Discovery of Nature, 2004(4):26-28

[15] Xia Lin, Yang Qisen. Wildlife conservation along Qinghai-Tibet Railway, Discovery of Nature,

2004,(4):29-31

[16] Xia Lin, Yang Qisen, 2004. Wildlife crossing structure and conservation of Tibetan Antelopes,

China Nature, 2004,(2):6-8.

[17] Yang Qisen, Xialin, Lei Fumin and Feng Zuojian, 2003. Present situation of wild animal

resources along Qinghai-Tibet railway line and countermeasures of protection. Journal of Shen

Yang Normal University 2003(21):69-77. (In Chinese)

[18] Yin Binggao, Liu Wu lin,1993.Wildlife protection in Tibet. Press of Forestry, Beijing.

[19] www.sciencetimes.com.cn/col33/col53/article.htm1?id=46547

[20] loveanimals.crcoo.com/Article_Show.asp?ArticleID=300

[21] http://it.sohu.com/20040923/n222202447.shtml

[22] http://news.buddhism.cn/ryzy/ryzynr/t20040928_1646.htm

[23] http://www.cenews.com.cn/news/2004-09-24/39137.php

[24] http://www.bjbusiness.com.cn/20040923/yaowen30.htm

30

12. Appendix- Press cutting on comment ion of our presentation

31

32

33